CHAIRMAN'S VISIT TO YPO, JAIPUR AND HZL, UDAIPUR

Chairman, Vedanta Group - Mr. Anil Agarwal was in Jaipur to address the YPO members (Young Presidents’ Organization) on 8th December 2017. 

He also visited Udaipur and interacted with over 60 employees including senior management of Hindustan Zinc in a workshop on 9th December 2017.

It was a memorable day filled with energy, enthusiasm and inspired all the employees.

He also met the special children of Jeevan Tarang.

DEVELOPING INDIA WITH A COLLECTIVE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

When corporate come forward to drive programs for community welfare, it is essential to get support from all sectors…

Albert Einstein said - “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive”.
These values of giving have their roots going deep to mythological times where Karna, one of the central characters in the Hindu epic Mahabharata was a man with a phenomenal sense of integrity and generosity. Even Lord Indra who tricked him by disguising as a Brahmin for his Kavach and Kundal that made him invincible was amazed at Karna's capacity to give away anything asked for. Even though he had alliance with Kauravas during the war, he is always remembered as 'Daanveer Karna'. Also, 'Maharshi Dadhichi', one of the greatest saints of all times donated his bones for the welfare of the community, a force that still drives Indian philanthropy.
We all have grown hearing such stories on power of giving and understanding the necessity of community development and humanistic approach in every way of life. Irrespective of profession, high or low profile, there are people who have made best of their capabilities provided to them for development of society.
When it comes to community service or popularly known as 'Social Responsibility', it has always been seen as responsibility of government and main source for social-economic development of society, particularly in rural India. When Panchayati Raj was introduced, it brought in rural independence in India. With the advent of technologies and setting-up of big industries in remote rural areas, it led to generation of employment thus giving economic boost to villages where Agriculture has always been the main source of economy. It led to less migration and availability of growth opportunities in villages. Gradually with time, population spurted in both villages & cities and with this their necessities also increased making it crucial for the Government to allow Corporates to pitch in for the Greater Good.
This is when Social Responsibility transformed to 'Corporate Social Responsibility'. There are some respected and successful organizations that primarily work towards bringing socio-economic independence in rural communities with the focus on child care, education, health, nutrition, employment, women empowerment, infrastructure development, to name a few. In 2015-16, 5097 companies have invested Rs. 9822 crores in India for social good. This spend is testimony of increased involvement of private sector in social development by contributing in generation of employment and eradication of poverty in country. With Government, corporates and supporting NGOs coming together for nation building, it becomes imperative for communities and individual to take the ownership and work towards 'Collective Social Responsibility' to achieve a well-defined objective. It is important to make the community responsible thus requires more community participation.
To work on long term, sustainable solutions based on the need of the communities, there is a need to underline high impact CSR programs like child care, education, healthcare, women empowerment, skill development, sanitation and agriculture & livestock. For immediate attention, 'child care', 'women empowerment' and 'Skill development' should become part of Nation Development Projects.
There are 7.5 crore underprivileged children in rural areas who need environment to grow and nurture into responsible human resource. We have to build future of India by strengthening their foundation by providing them proper nutrition, health and education.
Women, constituting 48% of total population of country has time and again proven, when we empower them, they empower their family that empowers village/city and ultimately empowering whole nation. Rural women have immense potential to develop their skills and make that a regular source of livelihood. All they need is encouragement and skill development program to move them towards micro-enterprise.
India has target of creating 500 million skilled workers by 2022. It is essential to tap this resource who is primarily those, who could not study due to lack of facilities in their village or lack of interest. There is a need to increase their capacities through professional vocational training programs thus making them resourceful manpower.
With corporate's engagement and communities' support, Government can execute these programs by assigning each corporate with one focus area to address and same will be weaved into their Business Plan. This approach will give undivided attention of Corporate that will align all their resources on the execution of one project, ultimately impacting the society at a National Level. The other approach is that Government allows corporates to highlight 5 flagship programs in the state they are operating and start engaging their resources on the implementation of these programs for the benefit of the community. It is to understand that when corporate come forward to drive the programs for community welfare, it is essential to get support from all sectors including Government. Corporate also need a cushion in smooth running of their Businesses as they are ultimately contributing in boosting the economy and job creation. They should be given equal opportunities to flourish by introducing transparent policies, simple regulatory framework with an offering of 10% tax rebate in running businesses. This money gained is only to be further utilized and reinvested for the Greater Good.
For a developing nation like India, it is important to recognize & strengthen the grass-root level and taking forward the whole nation together in making it the powerhouse of socio-economic development.

By Pavan Kaushik
Head - Corporate Communication
Hindustan Zinc

“We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go…”-Sunil Duggal-CEO, Hindustan Zinc

Sir David Frederick Attenborough, veteran broadcaster and naturalist said, “An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfilment. It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement, the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest.  It is greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”

I remember on my first birthday, my father planted a sapling. It was a festivity for the entire family. As I was growing I had a unique attachment with that sapling, which was growing with me, rather taller than me. Since many years it has been a symbol of love and affection as my childhood memories have been associated with it.

The thought of planting sapling was never out of environment protection but for affection as we knew nature was quite capable of taking care of itself and most importantly of us.

I always understood two aspects of nature - its ‘significance’ and its ‘power’.  I use the word ‘power’ to describe the nature because the nature is not defenceless. It does not need our mercy. The way we care for it today is the same way it is going to deal with us tomorrow.

Today on the occasion of World Environment Day, I am not going to narrate methods to protect environment or nature or save endangered species or develop biospheres & horticulture parks or beautify land through reclamations and plant more trees. That I know and believe that all of us are dedicated to save energy, water and we are using best of global technology to make our operations as much environment caring.

Today, I want to express my perspective of care for environment, beyond compliance.

You would have noticed, where the quality of life goes down for the environment, the quality of life will go down for the humans.

We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go.

Sometimes, just take a break and think - what have we given back to the nature who has given us its heart and soul from past millions of years.

Albert Einstein said, Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. American naturalist, author - John Muir said, ‘in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’

I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer. Reserve and preserve it for the future of your children.

Trust me, one day, you would see the same nature nurturing our future generations.

HINDUSTAN ZINC CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Employees and their Families participated and Nandghar children became guardian of the planet Earth... 

Hindustan Zinc celebrated “World Environment Day” on 4^th & 5^th June, 2017 at Head Office and at all its business locations. Hindustan Zinc believes World Environment Day is the opportunity for everyone to realize the responsibility to care of the Earth and to become agents of change.

During the occasion, Plantation drive was carried out at Zinc Park on 4^th June, 2017 where Mr. Sunil Duggal – CEO, HZL, the Chief Guest of the program said ‘I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer. Reserve and preserve it for the future of your children.

Various activities like exhibition, painting competition, inauguration of vermi compost set-up were planned to involve employees, their families and children. Painting competition was organized for children of employees on ‘Connecting People to Nature’, the theme for World Environment Day 2017, to encourage people to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate the beauty of planet, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth for prosperity.

Mr. V Jayaraman – Head EOHS, Mr. Ramakrishnan Kasinath – Head Commercial, Ms. Sonal Shrivastava – Dy. CFO, Ms. Neelima Khetan – Head CSR, Mr. Akhilesh Shukla  - Unit Head R&D - CRDL and other HZL employees along with their families also participated to make the planet greener’.

On 5^th June, 2017, Mr. Sunil Duggal, CEO celebrated World Environment Day with children of Padakhadri Nandghar in Udaipur along with his wife Mrs. Ramdeep Duggal.

Mr. Duggal planted a Guava Tree at Nandghar with little Runika and  Mrs. Duggal planted a Mango tree with naughty Jitu. Hindustan Zinc also pledged to plant one fruit tree at every Nandghar. Apart from fruit trees, a seasonal vegetable garden was also set up at the Padakhadri Nandghar.

On this occasion, Mr. Duggal said – ‘let the children become the guardians of this planet, and let Nandghar teach them about caring and nurturing the environment’. During their visit to Nandghar, he interacted with children, participated enthusiastically in their poem recitation and other activites.

Mrs. Duggal also interacted with the parents of Nandghar children to understand the growth and change they see in their children.

Mr. Pavan Kaushik – Head Corporate Communication said “Hindustan Zinc has implemented extensive green belt development projects and has around 1.4 million of green cover around its operations.”

Also present were Mr. Manoj Nashine - Unit Head, Zinc Smelter Debari, Ms. Neelima Khetan - Head CSR, Ms. Priyanka Singh - CEO Seva Mandir and other representatives of HZL & Seva Mandir.

HON'BLE HOME MINISTER HONOURS DEBARI RESCUE TEAM ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

Zinc Smelter Debari Rescue team has been felicitated by Hon’ble Home Minister - Shri Gulab Chand Kataria and District Collector - Mr. Rohit Gupta on the eve of Independence Day i.e., 15^th August, 2016 at Gandhi Ground, Udaipur.

Hon’ble Home Minister appreciated the efforts of Rescue Team led by Mr. Mahesh Todkar - Unit Head, ZSD in arresting ammonia leakage at Ice Factory, Sunderwas Udaipur on 28th April, 2016 that had the potential to become a major disaster.

Team Members felicitated during the event were Mr. D.C. Yadav - SBU Head, Cell house, Mr. Balchand Patidar – Head Safety and Capt. Kuldeep Kumar – Head Security.

A major disaster was reported when ammonia gas leaked out of an ice factory at Sunderwas, Udaipur, a thickly populated area, which also has a petrol filling station nearby. Immediately Hindustan Zinc rescue safety team was alerted and it reached the site along-with Head-Safety, Head-Security and officials from process and administration with all rescue appliances, fire tender etc..  While on travel the matter was understood from the District Collector, Factory Inspector and Factory owner and the probable threats were assessed.

The leaking valves were shut-off immediately and isolated from the system to arrest and stop the gas leakage. Hindustan Zinc had also arranged for emergency back-up team from the Rajpura Dariba Complex (RDC) who also joined the Debari rescue team.  

The local administration, including the District Collector, Factory Inspector and other officials thanked Hindustan Zinc for this operation which had potential to become a major disaster.

As a responsible corporate Hindustan Zinc stood by its commitment to help the society.

CHAIRMAN VISITS HINDUSTAN ZINC: 28TH - 30TH APRIL, 2016

HINDUSTAN ZINC - PLANT VISIT - TEAM OF 38 PEOPLE FROM PTI VISITS "SAKHI" AND "SK MINES"

A team of 38 people from PTI including journalists and Bureau Chiefs visited Hindustan Zinc on 19^th April 2015 from Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. As part of Branding exercise, the Corporate Communication team screened “Partners in Prosperity” film and also “Sakhi” and “Khushi” film. Myself gave presentation on Hindustan Zinc – Business and CSR and spoke about need for utilization of natural resources in India.  Mr. CSR Mehta briefed them about Hindustan Zinc’s focus on health, safety and environment and how these key values are driven across Group.

Hindustan Zinc had organized an exhibtion of “Sakhi” products which was keenly seen by PTI team, who also purchased a number of items of “Sakhi” brand. Each member of the PTI team was also given  a handicraft made by “Sakhi”.

Post this, PTI team went to see SK Mines and the team at SK Mine first gave them an extensive safety briefing and then took them inside the mine in 2 batches of 16 each. This was the first time any of the member had seen a mine from inside and got acquainted to modern mining technology. It was a memorable trip for them.

Showcasing few pictures on the visit….

“PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN TO ACHIEVE THIS FEAT”, BHAKTI SHARMA

 Bhakti to join “Khushi” and “Sakhi” campaign of Vedanta Hindustan Zinc

“It was chilling cold water at Antarctic Ocean and I could see small and big ice-bergs moving. The ocean was not clear. This was making the passage for my swimming difficult and challenging. At this juncture the ship helped in moving the small and medium ice-bergs and my passage was some-what clear. Second was to ensure that there are no ‘Leopard Seals’, a large fish that can eat whales. My distance was set to be travelled towards the ship. Before entering the water, I thought of my country and I realized this is the day I can make my country India proud”, said Bhakti Sharma who has just returned to India after setting world record in open-water swimming.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company in zinc-lead-silver business in Rajasthan had supported and sponsored Bhakti Sharma for this venture. “I had lost all hopes and that is where Hindustan Zinc came forward and instantly agreed to support me. Had I not received this support, I would have never been able to achieve this success’, said Bhakti Sharma.

Bhakti travelled 1.4 miles in 1 degree temperature in Antarctic Ocean on 10th January 2015. She is the first women of India to achieve this feat, beating the record of British open water swimming champion Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is now the youngest citizen of the world and the first Asian girl to have achieved this success. Bhakti Sharma has now conquered all the 5 oceans of the world and she has broken this record after 12 years.

“The crew members on the ship found it difficult to believe an Indian coming to attempt such a feat as the Indian climate is extremely different from those conditions. We do not have such chilling cold in India and thus our bodies are not tuned to handle such cold water”, said Bhakti.

On what next Bhakti said, she would now work for the malnourished children and towards women empowerment in Rajasthan and would be joining Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc campaign “Khushi” and “Sakhi”. Campaign “Khushi” is a non-funding campaign by the company that is spreading message towards care for the underprivileged children in India, for their nutrition, health and education. Campaign “Sakhi” is towards socio-economic empowerment of rural women. “I have spoken with Mr. Akhilesh Joshi, CEO of Hindustan Zinc about my interest and he has readily agreed’, said Bhakti.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Akhilesh Joshi, CEO Hindustan Zinc said, ‘Bhakti Sharma achievement is a landmark success for India, we all are very proud. Her achievement only proves that Indian girls can do marvels if given the right opportunities and support. Hindustan Zinc is a Rajasthan based company and Bhakti Sharma is from Rajasthan too. In the past also we have supported Rajasthan sports talents and we would continue to do so.”

President and Prime Minister too lauded open water swimmer Bhakti for her accomplishment of setting this world record.

INDIA'S SWIMMER BHAKTI SHARMA SETS WORLD RECORD IN ANTARCTIC OCEAN

“Grateful to Hindustan Zinc for supporting me when I had lost hope" says Bhakti.

The open water swimming champion Bhakti Sharma has set the world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in 1 degree temperature at Antarctic Ocean. She is the first women of India to achieve this feat, beating the record of British open water swimming champion Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is now the youngest citizen of the world and the first Asian girl to have achieved this success. Bhakti Sharma has now conquered all the 5 oceans of the world.

Hindustan Zinc had come forward to sponsored Bhakti Sharma towards her mission. Hearing the news, Akhilesh Joshi, the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Zinc said, “we are very proud of Bhakti Sharma for this rare achievement. Whole country is proud of her and particularly girls who would be seeing her as inspiration to join swimming. Her achievement only proves that given the right support and opportunities India can produce many such talents.”

As informed, Bhakti expressed her gratefulness towards Hindustan Zinc for supporting her when she had lost hope for her mission and needed the support.

Bhakti Sharma has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years and has also swam across 4 oceans, 8 channels and seas, which itself is a world record. These records have been made by her during the year 2004-2010. In the year 2010 President of India awarded her with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In 2006 Rajasthan government also recognized and commended her efforts.

HINDUSTAN ZINC SPONSORS BHAKTI SHARMA

Open Water international Swimming Champion

Vedanta’s company Hindustan Zinc will support the open water swimming international champion Bhakti Sharma for an year. During this period Bhakti Sharma would be promoting the open water swimming and also train girls in this swimming league. 

Akhilesh Joshi, CEO of Hindustan Zinc informed that “company has in past also sponsored many sports person for promotion of sports. Bhakti Sharma is a resident of Rajasthan and particularly Udaipur and being one of the largest corporate in Rajasthan we felt we should come forward and support such sports person.”

“I am very thankful to Hindustan Zinc for promoting the open water swimming sports and I believe girls in India are very talented and can certainly make their mark internationally. Support from Hindustan Zinc is essential for the sports person like me and also for the sports as this helps the sportsmen in putting 100% efforts”, said Bhakti Sharma.

Bhakti also said that “I would be encouraging girls to join this sport and would personally train them”.

Bhakti Sharma in January is proceeding to make another world record by swimming Antarctica Ocean for 2.5 km. If she is successful, she would be breaking the record of Lewis Pugh of South Africa who swam for 1 km. 

“It would be proud moment for India if she achieves this record as being a girl it would encourage many girls to come forward and join such adventure sports,” said Akhilesh Joshi.

Bhakti Sharma has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years and has also swam across 4 oceans, 8 channels and seas, which itself is a world record. These records have been made by her during the year 2004-2010. In the year 2010 President of India awarded her with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In 2006 Rajasthan government also recognized and commended her efforts.

Bhakti Sharma has also shown her keenness in promoting CSR initiatives of Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan. 

The MoU in this regard was signed in the presence of Akhilesh Joshi - CEO, Amitabh Gupta - CFO, CSR Mehta - Head-Corporate Relations and Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communication of Hindustan Zinc.

FIRST WORKSHOP OF HINDUSTAN ZINC "SAKHI" CAMPAIGN, A GRAND SUCCESS

350 rural and tribal Women got together to participate in the First Workshop of Hindustan Zinc's women empowerment campaign "SAKHI".  The workshop was held at Vidhya Bhawan Auditorium in Udaipur today. These women from Hindustan Zinc self-help-groups traveled from the nearby villages of our business locations at Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Ajmer and Udaipur districts. 

The interactive workshop was taken by Prof. Anuja Sisodia, Indian Institute of Crafts & Design. From Hindustan Zinc, Mr. C.S.R. Mehta- Head Corporate Relations, Mr. Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communications, Ms. Sushma Sharma - Incharge CSR, HZL also spoke about various aspects of socio-economic empowerment in rural and tribal women.

The workshop saw discussion and interactive sessions on changing scenario in the garments and home-furnishing market, development of handicraft industry, quality check in production, colour combination as per changing seasons, production as per current fashion trends and pricing of the products. 

Here, we present the glimpse of the Workshop-